Garden Plot in Children's Hands

The program Garden Land in Children's Hands in Baden-Württemberg enables daycare centers to begin practical gardening activities. The primary focus is on children's participation in creating, maintaining, and utilizing their own garden. Through a start-up funding of €1,000, the Kinderland Baden-Württemberg Foundation supports institutions in bringing children closer to direct interaction with food. The approach is based on the idea that children gain important learning experiences through the active process of cultivation, harvest, and subsequent preparation of fresh products, which complement and deepen educational content taught at school.

The funding is aimed at daycare centers that have not yet managed their own flower and vegetable garden and are willing to independently establish 2-3 (raised) beds with a total area of at least 12 sqm. This focus not only promotes educational work but also contributes to environmental and climate protection, as well as animal and nature conservation. By integrating practical elements into everyday daycare routines, playful learning is enabled, teaching young people responsible handling of natural resources and energy efficiency. The financing supports laying a secure foundation for future, self-initiated gardening projects and offers an excellent opportunity to link pedagogical concepts with immediate connection to nature.

The continuous support of this program helps to gather valuable experiences and sustainably establish structures for nature-based education. A detailed project proposal and the corresponding application form must be submitted as proof of compliance with the funding requirements. This start-up funding represents an important step to expand access to practical educational offerings and to introduce young people early on to the value of healthy nutrition and environmental protection. The initiative thus makes a significant contribution to promoting social, ecological, and educational projects in the region and supports daycare centers in implementing their educational mission innovatively and sustainably.